Imphal, July 27 (NNN): Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that efforts are on for a new bill which is intended to protect interests of "indigenous" people of Manipur.
"The drafting process is almost finished. All stakeholders of the hills and valley will be taken on board this time," the Chief Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function.
Civil societies in the hill districts had criticised the government for not consulting them in passing three ILP related bills in the state assembly in August last year.
Ibobi stressed that the bill will take shape only after suggestions and opinion are sought from constitutional experts. "We're acting in accordance with the Constitution. The government will ensure the proposed bill does not reflect controversy," he assured.
The bill is likely to be introduced in the ensuing monsoon session of the state assembly to be held in August next.
Ibobi appreciated the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) for carrying out a massive drive against arrival of illegal migrants in the state. So far, 400 non-locals not possessing valid IDs have been detained and handed over to police by organisations supporting the movement spearheaded by the Joint Committee in the last few days.
The Manipur Chief Minister, however, appealed that people should never opt for violent means in pursuing any demand.
He also discouraged the JCILPS from making school students take part in the current ILP stir. In the past few days, students from various schools in Imphal have been demanding ILP by staging protests in the streets.
